Fiji declares disaster as flood toll rises

26 Jan 2012, 11:25 am   -   Source: AAP
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The death toll has risen to six as almost 3500 people are forced to leave their homes.

Fiji declared flood-hit areas of the main island Viti Levu a disaster zone on Thursday as the death toll from the deluge lashing the Pacific nation rose to six.

A family of four, including two children, were killed in a landslide late on Wednesday after becoming trapped in their home at a village in the island's western Ba region, the information ministry said.

It said almost 3,500 people had been forced from their homes by the downpour that has continued since the weekend, and a state of natural disaster has been declared in the worst-hit areas of the west.

No further details of the landslide victims were available.

Earlier this week, two farmers were killed in separate incidents as they tried to protect their livestock from rising waters.

The government said roads were impassable and some communities were without power and water supplies, advising people to avoid low-lying areas and take precautions against water-borne illnesses.

Australia, New Zealand and France are involved in relief efforts.

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